⚡ Featured Deal

Essentials for Your New Home

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 2 Location

Lakewood, NJ Utility & Living Guide

Lakewood Township is the most populous township in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. A rapidly growing community, as of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 135,158, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 42,315 (+45.6%) from the 2010 census count of

Last updated: June 26, 2026

Total Utilities$305/mo

1BR Rent$1200/mo

Sales Tax7.5%

COL Index105 (+5% above national average)

Family Score6/10

Median Home$320,000

📷 Live Cameras — Lakewood

Live · refreshing...

🌤️ Live Weather — Lakewood

Loading weather...

⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Lakewood

Loading hazard data...

💰 Budget Calculator

🔌 Utilities

🏠 Housing

📊 Cost of Living

💰 Taxes

👨‍👩‍👧 Families

🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$120/mo

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L)

🔥 Gas

$50/mo

New Jersey Natural Gas

💧 Water

$45/mo

Lakewood Municipal Utilities Authority

🗑️ Garbage

$25/mo

Lakewood Township Department of Public Works

📶 Internet

$65/mo

Combined Average Overhead$305/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom	$1200/mo
2 Bedrooms	$1600/mo
3 Bedrooms	$2100/mo
Median Home Price	$320,000
Property Tax Rate	1.2%
Avg Childcare/mo	$1000

Lakewood’s housing market is competitive, with steady demand driven by its growing population. Prices have risen due to limited inventory and high demand from families and commuters.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

105

US national avg = 100

vs National Avg

+5% above national average

Groceries

102

Transportation

Healthcare

100

Childcare/mo

$1000

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax	7.5%
Property Tax Rate	1.2%
<p>State 6.625% + County 0% + City 0.875%</p>

New Jersey has a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 1.4% to 10.75%.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score

6/10

Safety Index

Higher = safer

School Rating

6.5/10

GreatSchools avg

Avg Childcare

$1000/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend

+15% (growing)

Political Climate

Purple

Business Momentum

High with key industries in healthcare, education, and retail.

Top Local Concerns

Traffic congestion, rising housing costs, school overcrowding

🚌 Transit for Families

Public transit is limited, but major bus routes are accessible. Sidewalks are common in residential areas.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions

🎯
Lake Carasaljo
🎯
Allaire State Park
🎯
Lakewood BlueClaws Stadium

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The North Lakewood area is popular for families due to its proximity to schools and parks. The downtown area offers walkable amenities but has higher density.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Lakewood based on your household profile.

📰 Live Local News

Lakewood has strict zoning laws and requires permits for most home renovations. Short-term rentals are heavily regulated.

Financial Tools

Calculators

Income Tax CalculatorEstimate take-home pay by state
Mortgage CalculatorMonthly payment estimator
Affordability CalculatorHow much home can you afford?
Childcare Cost EstimatorCompare daycare costs by city

Planning Tools

Retirement PlannerRetirement readiness check
Car Lease CalculatorMonthly lease payment estimator
Savings CalculatorGrow your emergency fund
City Comparison ToolCompare cities side by side

Find Another City Guide

Search by city name or ZIP code to find utility costs, housing data and cost of living guides.

📊 Lakewood — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

💰 Median Household Income

$52,222

👤 Median Age

17.1

🏠 Homeownership Rate

39.0%

🔑 Renter Rate

61.0%

📉 Poverty Rate

27.7%

💼 Unemployment Rate

5.9%

📡 Internet Access

56.6%

🎓 College Educated

30.1%

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs peak in winter due to heating needs, while summer sees higher electricity usage for air conditioning. Gas bills can double in colder months.